First one was really good. My TSH is normal finally. 0.7. Dr said that they try to keep TSH below 2.5 to optimize pregnancy. Seirenreign, I agree that you don't want to go too far the other way and be hyperthyroid, but that seems to be when your TSH is below 0.5 or 0.3, depending on the scale the lab uses. So I am good to go!

My afternoon appointment was so-so. Pelvic ultrasound came back normal, so that's great. But I still have a little bit of blood in my urine, so now I need to go for more follow up for that. Abdominal ultrasound, blood work, referral to gynecologist, and maybe later a referral to a nephrologist and sonohysterogram. Sigh. I really hate doctor appointments. I'm so thankful I have a flexible job.

I'm still waiting for my genetics referral. Might be a month or two before my appointment. Poppy, do you have your genetics appointment booked yet? Keep us posted on how it goes! I really have no idea what to expect with it.

I am still going off the bc pill after this next pack (early July) and I am going to order all my TTC supplies this weekend! If there is something wrong, well, we will deal with that when it comes. I just want to start getting my cycle regulated and learning about it.

Welcome to mylittleking and Caseymay and anyone else I may have missed!

I'm sorry for all the BFNs this week. Good luck to those still waiting!

alzora, frances-- basically, simplified, the first half of your menstrual cycle is dominated by estrogen, the last half (after ovulation) by progesterone. Progesterone, as you can tell from the name of the hormone, is meant to prepare you for pregnancy. It thickens the uterine lining and its levels rise throughout the last half. However, if it doesn't get "survival signals" in the form of B-HCG secreted by the brand-new tiny trophoblast/placenta, the uterine lining is shed, progesterone drops, estrogen rises, and the cycle starts anew.

What that means in everyday useful terms is that you will feel exactly the same the month you conceive as months you don't conceive, except in the very last stretch (like last 1-3 days, depending on the length of your luteal phase and the tube transit time). It's all progesterone. Early PMS symptoms: progesterone. Skin changes, etc: progesterone. It's there if a little embryo is traipsing down your fallopian tube, it's there if the tube be empty. I think it's important to remind yourself that it is genuinely, physiologically impossible to feel ANY pregnancy symptoms until, at minimum, 2 days post-implantation of the embryo.

@andieta - glad one of your appointments went well. I hate dr visits too, such a hassle and often stressful if I feel like I'm not being taken seriously.

Is anyone here following a particular fertility diet or eating/not eating certain things while TTC? I already follow a primal/paleo-ish diet but am trying to cut down on caffeine and also eat less dairy, which I know doesn't agree with me (but I love it!).

@andieta - I just wanted to chime in that, just a few months ago, I went to a perinatal specialist and had a genetics consultation (since we lost our first pregnancy to miscarriage). I had an absolutely wonderful genetics counselor and even though I was very, very nervous, it ended up being a great, positive thing for myself and my hubby and I'm so glad I forced myself to go. Basically it was just about 35-40 minutes of her asking me questions and drawing out those gene chart-thingys (that's the technical term, I swear) that you learned about back in high school. Most important thing to know is to do your research ahead of time, if it's possible. She'll ask about pretty much every one of your family members and their health and pregnancies/kids - meaning, your mom and dad, your siblings, and also your significant other's mom and dad and siblings and all of that. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. The more you can tell her (or him, of course), the better information she can give you!

Also, if you take any daily medications or have any concurrent medical conditions (as I do), she will evaluate those - the risk they pose to the pregnancy, delivery, to the baby's development and future, etc..

I'm always happy to answer any questions if i can, feel free to private message me! Hugs and baby dust to everyone!!!

Last edited by cvdutch31; June 7th, 2013 at 02:55 AM.
Reason: typos!

Christine

Pregnancy #1: lost to mc, 10/11

Amelia Joelle arrived on 11/28/13 at 7 pounds, 4 ounces of pure beauty. Couldn't be happier to finally be mama!

@milasmama - I'm not following a specific diet, but I've made a few changes while TTC, such as switching to full-fat dairy products instead of low fat (I think a lot of low-fat dairy decreases your chances of conceiving), avoiding alcohol and caffeine, avoiding foods known to be dangerous during pregnancy between ovulation and AF, and taking a prenatal vitamin (Elevit) and zinc tablets daily. A couple of other ideas I'm trying this month are EveningPrimrose Oil to increase cervical mucus and Robitussin to thin out cervical mucus. I don't usually have much CM, so I figure this can't hurt! Although, if I don't get pregnant this month, I'm quitting EPO and Robitussin because the EPO tablets are massive and the Robitussin tastes awful! Oh, and Fore Life (Australian equivalent of Pre Seed) and OPKs. I'm trying to generally eat healthily and increase my intake of fruits and vegetables.